REVIEW: The Veil

Director Phil Joanou's The Veil is set around the lone survivor of a mass suicide by a cult that will be easily recognized as similar to Jim Jone's Jonestown.  Heck, even the leader of the cult has the same sort of alliteration to his name, as Tom Jane plays Jim Jacobs.  The twist to the story here is that there may be something paranormal afoot instead of a manipulative maniac murdering innocent people who have been brainwashed.

As the intro of the movie takes place, it is hard to feel as though this film has an identity of its own, similar to 2014's The Sacrament, which also based its story on Jonestown.  We find ourselves meeting the survivor, Sarah Hope (Lily Rabe), twenty five years after the incident.  She connects with a documentary team lead by Maggie (Jessica Alba).  Off they go with the film crew in tow to the seen of the crime, Sarah revisiting the compound for the first time since the mass suicide that happened when she was but a little child.

The movie exists as a series of facades, techniques that are implemented to make the experience appear as though it is something that it is not.  While it tries desperately to be atmospheric and full of jump scares, it is empty in its efforts.

One such technique that is employed is the cinematography being done with mostly grey tones.  It is throughout the film, and while it is something that can be used to set a mood at the right place and time, it loses its impact almost immediately as it is used for all shots; day and night, interior and exterior.  There is nothing of colour that is used to offset the effect, making it as impotent as the script which was penned by Robert Ben Garant.

Another technique that becomes empty is the sound editing.  I know that it is common for films to synch up jump scares with loud noises, but this film takes it to a level that is similar (but not as obnoxious) to the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street.  The loud effects, like the muted colours, are not used sparingly and seep into all elements of the film.  Like the rushing waters of Niagara Falls, it eventually just becomes background noise once exposed to it long enough.

Thirdly, there are plenty of kills that are executed in a way that is supposed to carry mystery around the plot, but they, like everything else, are merely empty.  We have a collective of people in what should be an eerie setting, but there is little to no tension.  The humans exist only as cardboard cutouts that get killed.  The script never gives us anything to know their personalities or who they are, so when they are killed it is simply a process that happens, and something that the audience is not attached to.

Worse of all, it is just a boring film.  If you have seen more than a handful of jump scare films, there will be nothing in this for you to appreciate or take away.  Even if you are brand new to the horror game, you may find yourself laughing at the complete stupidity of the characters who make decisions not out of logic, but out of preference for the plot.  Regardless, there is little here for any movie goer to appreciate.

Rating - 0.5 out of 4 Stars